Raquel Seruca (1963–2022)

The Governing Board of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Raquel Seruca, deputy director of the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (Ipatimup) and researcher in the field of gastric and colon cancer.

Researcher Raquel Seruca has collaborated with FCT on numerous occasions, participating in the evaluation of applications for Studentships , in the evaluation panels for R&D unit funding reports, joining the Research Infrastructure Monitoring Committee established in 2019, and serving on the jury for the Pulido Valente Science Award. She has participated in and developed more than 20 projects funded by Calls , in most of which she was the principal investigator.

Raquel Seruca holds a PhD in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto and has been involved for several years in determining the frequency and type of CDH1 germline alterations in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), early pregnancy, and familial diffuse gastric cancer, having established a national clinical care network for screening families with HDGC criteria. She was a member of the scientific advisory board of the American association No Stomach for Cancer, which supports families with gastric cancer.

In 2005, Raquel Seruca received the Stimulus to Excellence award from the FCT; in 2009, she was awarded the insignia of Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique by the then President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva; she was awarded the Gold Medal for Scientific Merit by the Porto City Council in 2014; and she received the Labmed award twice (2002 and 2003) and the Benjamim Castelman USCAP award twice (2001 and 2012).

The FCT Governing Board extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and to the entire team at Ipatimup and i3S, at this difficult time.

Photo courtesy of i3S